The Thanksgiving tradition of family, food and football continued this past weekend as fans tuned into NFL games in large numbers.

The CBS Thanksgiving game (Dolphins-Cowboys) drew 30.9 million viewers – the most for a CBS Thanksgiving game since it acquired the AFC package in 1998 and ranking as the most-watched television show this fall (pending Friday release of FOX Thanksgiving game viewership). In addition, the CBS Sunday national telecast (mostly Patriots-Eagles) drew 26.3 million viewers – the network’s most-watched Sunday telecast of the season.

The FOX Thanksgiving game (Packers-Lions) drew a 15.8 overnight rating, tying with 1998 Vikings-Cowboys as the network’s highest-rated game on the holiday since 1996 (Redskins-Cowboys, 17.0). (Viewership figures for the FOX game will be available on Friday, according to The Nielsen Company. It will rank with the CBS Thanksgiving game as the two most-watched programs of the week and the fall TV season).

NBC’s Sunday Night Football (Steelers-Chiefs) drew 20.3 million viewers and was the most-watched primetime program of the week (November 21-27).

The Thanksgiving night 49ers-Ravens game on NFL Network was watched by 10.7 million viewers (not including over-the-air markets), ranking as cable’s top all-time Thanksgiving telecast (Nielsen records date to 1994) and the most-watched program in NFLN’s eight-year history.

NFL games also topped local ratings in 28 of 30 NFL markets last week. Following is the list of 28 NFL markets where football was the top-rated program for the week of Nov. 21-27: Read more

Staff

Nov201129

Staff

As the calendar turns to December, the NFL enters the final month of the regular season. With 11 games down, only five remain for teams to make their playoff push.

“Everyone understands that there is a lot of football left,” says New Orleans head coach SEAN PAYTON. “There are a lot of teams competing for similar goals, whether it’s winning the division or trying to put yourself in the best position for a postseason berth. Our team understands the importance of playing well in the month of December.”

As the league enters Week 13, there are 17 teams either in or within one game of a playoff spot.

“We’re entering December with 11 wins and we’re right where we want to be,” says Green Bay quarterback AARONRODGERS.

The Packers (11-0) and San Francisco 49ers (9-2) can clinch their divisions this weekend. But there is still plenty of football left to be played.

Since 2004, a team with a losing record through the first 11 games has qualified for the postseason in every season. And, in six of those seven years, that team has won at least one playoff game.

“Things can happen,” says Philadelphia running back LE SEAN MC COY, who leads the NFL in rushing with 1,050 yards. “We just have to stay positive and hope for the best. All we can do is win next week. We know we need to win all of our games just to have a chance for the playoffs.”

McCoy and the Eagles kick off Week 13 on Thursday night (8:00 PM ET, NFL Network) when they travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks and running back MARSHAWN LYNCH, who is the first Seahawk to score a touchdown in seven consecutive games since SHAUN ALEXANDER (2005).

Nov201129

Staff

NFL Vice President of Football Operations Merton Hanks notified Ndamukong Suh today that he has been suspended without pay for the Lions’ next two games for his unsportsmanlike conduct in the Lions-Packers game on Thanksgiving Day. It was Suh’s fifth violation of on-field rules in the past two seasons that has resulted in league discipline. Suh may not practice or be at the team practice facility for any other activities during the two-game suspension. He will be reinstated on December 12. Under the CBA, the suspension may be appealed within three business days. If appealed, an expedited hearing and decision would take place this week in advance of this weekend’s games.

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Staff

Nov201128

Staff

The final Week 14 NFL schedule was announced today with the originally scheduled New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys game on NBC’s Sunday Night Football remaining in place. The Oakland Raiders-Green Bay Packers game will move from 1:00 PM ET to 4:15 PM ET on CBS.

Following is the final Week 14 NFL schedule (bold/italics/asterisk indicates time change):

This Sunday (Dec. 4) the Detroit Lions-New Orleans Saints game was moved to 8:20 PM ET on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, the Indianapolis Colts-New England Patriots game to 1:00 PM ET on CBS, the Denver Broncos-Minnesota Vikings game to 1:00 PM ET on FOX, and the Baltimore Ravens-Cleveland Browns game to 4:05 PM ET on CBS.

The NFL utilizes “flexible scheduling” on Sundays in Weeks 10-15, 17. Flexible scheduling ensures quality matchups in all NFL Sunday time slots in those weeks and give teams a chance to play their way onto primetime and into the late-afternoon 4:15 PM ET time slot on CBS and FOX.

For each of the flexible scheduling weeks with the exception of Week 17, the NFL will announce the start times of games on Sundays no later than 12 days prior to that weekend. To ensure a Sunday night game and doubleheader games with playoff implications in Week 17, the flexible scheduling decision for that Sunday may be made on six days notice.